Monster Mash Bloody Mary Challenge Returns to Northern Liberties for Spooky Season

feature photo: Anejo Philadelphia by Kris Kennedy

Bartenders were working in their restaurants late one night, when from their bars to their streeteries they beheld an eerie sight. The city’s top Bloody Mary began to rise, and suddenly to their surprise the top foodie neighborhood did the mash. Neighbors and visitors are doing the Monster Mash. The Northern Liberties Bloody Mary Challenge will be a true spooky-season smash. With tons of great brunch spots all in a row, the competition caught on in a bacon-infused flash!

From restaurants lining North Second Street and even Jerry’s to the East, one by one from SET NoLibs and El Camino, did the vampires crave a feast. With Figo and Anejo showcasing their humble abodes, the neighborhood will get a jolt from the winner’s red-hot electrodes.

Zombies over 21 will be having tons of fun, but as the locals know brunch season has only just begun. The scene has been rockin’ with vibes off the chart, and as sweater weather takes over remember to tip well and then depart. Guests will include Wolfman, Dracula and anyone in your pandemic pod. No matter who you bring, though, don’t forget to come thirsty with everyone in your squad.

Northern Liberties Business Improvement District is doing the Monster Mash. This fifth annual event is a not-so-spooky Halloween smash. Look for pesto, bacon, hot sauce and pickles too. Get ready for a twist on the Bloody Mary unlike any you ever knew.

Monster Mash: Northern Liberties Bloody Mary Challenge is set for the weekends of Saturday and Sunday October 19-20 and 26-27, 2024. This unique event solidifies Northern Liberties’s place as the best Philly neighborhood for tomato-based cocktails. Make a brunch reservation and get ready to vote for the winner. Don’t forget to order delicious food with your drink, and come back another day for night time dinner.

Northern Liberties Business Improvement District presents the Monster Mash with help and support from each participating restaurant and bar. Each eatery will feature one themed Bloody Mary as they compete head-to-head in this fun and light-hearted neighborhood spar.

Participating competitors will include the following, While there can be just one winner, the other restaurants will be wallowing. They are all doing the Monster Mash. Come and join them in the new Northern Liberties Monster Mash:

* Añejo Philadelphia (1001 N. 2nd) / Anejo’s house bloody Maria made with La Gritona Reposado and a creepy crawly dose of Halloween spice.

* Bar 1010 (701 N. 2nd) / TBD 

* Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd) / Sangre de la Gritona: Tomatillo bloody with green chile vodka and a tajín rim. Served with a syringe of spicy red bloody mix, and garnished with a smash burger, slice of Detroit pizza, chicken nuggets, bacon and onion rings.

* El Camino Real (1040 N. 2nd) / Vampire’s Kiss: Clarified Bloody Maria with Bloody Ice Cubes and topped with Pork Belly, Pickled Garlic, and Vampire Teeth!

* Figo Ristorante (1033 N. 2nd) / Carrie’s Revenge: Featuring basil infused vodka, san marzano tomato juice, hot Italian giardiniera (served in a blood bag with syringe)

* Jerry’s Bar (129 W. Laurel) / Dragon’s Breath: Jerry’s Signature Bloody Mary Mix with Monte Alban Mezcal spiced with Chipotle Tabasco and Habanero Simple. Garnished with a Jumbo Shrimp, Candied Bacon, Celery, Pickled Veggie Skewer, Black Charcoal Salt Rim, and a Flaming Lime.

* North 3rd (801 N. 3rd) / Black Widow Bloody Mary: North 3rd’s famous spicy Bloody Mary mix layered with a bold black vodka for a dramatic look. The drink is garnished with crisp celery, a spicy hot pepper, candied bacon, smoky sausages (Little Smokies), and a creepy candy eyeball, served with a Tajín-rimmed glass.

* SET NoLibs (1030 N. 2nd) / The SET Spice: A bloody mary mix with a sesame/Thai chili sriracha sauce, topped with a bulgogi cheesesteak slider.

* Silk City (435 Spring Garden) / Skull Island: Prepare to get lost on Skull Island, a tropical twist on Silk City’s famous Bloody Mary with pineapple vodka, mango puree, tomato, pineapple, lemon and lime juices, chipotle pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and sea salt, with a pineapple-chipotle gummy skulls, grilled pineapple, and hot pepper garnish, fished with brain freezer spiced ice cubes and served in a tall Tiki glass.

* Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd) / BLT Bloody Mary: Standard Tap’s signature bloody mary mix with house-infused bacon Haku vodka, smoked paprika rim, miniature BLT garnish – it is bloody delish!

Visit http://www.explorenorthernliberties.org for a full list of details and updates. Plus find a list of other retail shops to share with your mates. They are doing the mash. The new Northern Liberties Monster Mash.